This is an AAR for a 1941 GC PBEM, me as the Axis, Gids as the Soviets. Random weather, full FOW. Started with 4.01.10.

First turn. I do the Riga gambit in the north, and I send one panzer corps of the third panzer group to Dünaburg and cross the Dvina with one unit. This will let me send that corps either to the north to help AG north, or straight east, depending on what Ivan does.

In the center pretty much the standard Bialystok pocket. I use the blue army units to take Brest, to make sure I move as much infantry of 2d panzer group forward, and not let them waste any MPs fighting. I think it is important to get infantry to the Dnepr as soon as possible, and every MP counts.

In the south I go for the big Lvov pocket. It will probably be breakable, but I will be able to reseal it, and that will ensure those units doesn't get away. I also do a smaller Lvov pocket as well using the infantry. This is partly to cut the Soviets up so if the large pocket is broken, the westernmost units will still be isolated, and also to prevent the surrounded Sovs from wriggling too much. It will also let me displace a couple of airfields.

Turn 2. The Lvov pocket is broken, to the south, but my supply lines to the Panzers hold. Heroic resistance py a lone panzer regiment that shrugs off a massive Soviet counterattack with just 20 casualties! I was a little worried about that regiment, it was the weak link, but it did its job! Iron crosses for everyone!

Turn 2 in the south after German move. I try to encircle a couple of uppity Soviet tank divisions in a forward deployment - it succeeds, but I use all the reserve motorised units that are activated on turn 2. I reseal the big pocket, but it feels weak. I think I botched that a little bit, but nobody's perfect.

In the center, I continue forward towards the Dnepr. Weak soviet resistance, I had expected a few more units in this area. The forward division is almost at the landbridge! Shot after German move. I do not waste Panzer movement and risk casualties by storming Minsk, I will leave that for the infantry to mop up next turn.

Given you didn't use 2nd Pz Group units down south that's a pretty good opening actually...

Was there any problem with not taking the small baltic port with the fort. region in it on turn 1? I hate having to lose a mobile unit to take it out but worry about the resupply... I'd dearly love to ignore it.

Was there any problem with not taking the small baltic port with the fort. region in it on turn 1? I hate having to lose a mobile unit to take it out but worry about the resupply... I'd dearly love to ignore it.

Thoughts?

Well, it means the Soviets can possibly move one or 2 units out by sea movement, and I will have send 2 or 3 infantry divisions to mop up the Soviets in the northern tip, but I think it is worth it to get more mobile units forward. It is a tradoff of course. Sending a mobile unit to take the port might mean more infantry at Pskov sooner, which is also important.

I think it is worth it to send a mobile unit to get that port. One of the things the Axis want to do on the first turn is to flip as much territory from Russian control to Axis control as possible. By not taking that part, that whole area does not flip, causing the German advance to be cramped a bit. You can also use the port for sea lift and staging as well. The motorized unit just needs to run up, knock out the fort and then head back to the east while something is sea lifted in to hold the port.

Lvov-pocket held! Again, a lone panzer regiment holds out against 6 desperate soviet counterattacks, where the Soviet soldiers are driven towards our positions by commisars wielding whips! The carnage on the enemy side is indescribable, but our panzer regiment again escapes with trifling losses!

In the north, the panzers trundle on towards Pskov. The infantry is not yet at the scene, but the panzers batter their way across the river at two points. We may be counterattaced and there is a risk that the forward divisions will be driven back across the river, but it's worth the risk to punch holes in the Pskov position!

After the German turn. Pocket resealed. I could have just wasted them as they are, but it is nice to bag two airborne brigades, and they are not really in the way. The panzers need some rest anyway, so not much happening, except that Das Reich manage to cross the Dnepr.

It truly seems like the Fuhrer said - we only need to kick in the door and the whole rotten building will collapse. Hopefully, it won't come down on our heads...

In the Ukrine, the slimy russian ¤#%#$menschen managed to open a supply line to the remnants of the Lvov pocket. I must have been a little sloppy there, serves me right.

Up by the marshes, my panzer thrust is put out of sypply, but I half expected that. It was a little too optimistic. Still, no harm done, I can easily reestablish supply and continue east. This shot is before German moves but after recon. I do have the feeling the Ivans are making themselves scarce... Maybe they have decided that discretion is the better part of class conciousness...

Here is a shot of the Smolensk-area before German move. I did a buildup on 2 of my panzer corps last turn (forgot to mention that in the narrative, but it keeps the suspense, right?). They now have very healthy movement allowances.

In the south, the advance towards Kiev continues. I had planned a more southerly prong towards Chernigov, but with the mud, I continue straight towards Kiev. A little unimaginative maybe, but with the advance in the center there may be an opportunity here in a turn or two...

Here is an overview of the North and center after German moves turn 6.

On the approaches to Leningrad, the advance is slowing down. Soviet forces on the road straight to Leningrad prove to be well entrenched, and I don't have the MPs to cross the river and make deliberate attacks. Instead the panzers follow the route of least resistance (which can sometimes be good and sometimes bad) and move up to the coast. As Tallin is stormed at the same time, any Soviets west of the spearhed are isolated. Unfortunately, air recon suggests the are is mostly empty, but we can undoubtedly increase the prisoner haul by rounding up a number of the local peasants...

In the center, things are going well. As a result of last turns pocket at Smolensk, the advance is almost unopposed. The lead panzers push weak opposition aside and roll into Ordzhonikidzegrad (the suburb of Bryansk) to find the factories still in operation! Actually, this is a bit embarrassing in that the OKH plan envisaged a concentration on Leningrad at the expense of the Moscow thrust, but as things are developing, the central thrust is proving the most successful.

In Byelorussia, it seems the people does not love us, but instead engage in acts of wanton sabotage! This is worrying! Not that they do not love us, that's ok, we don't love them either. In fact we are planning on replacing them with German settlers. But it's worrying that they blow up the railroads. That can have serious consequences for our supply situation.

Fortunately, an SS cavalry brigade arrives at the scene and restores order with some firm but just reprisal actions. The proud troopers of the SS - still undefeated in combat against unarmed civilians!

To avoid further incidents, counterinsurgency methods recommended by the american Joel Billings are adopted. As the partisans will apparently not blow up railroads adjacent to an Axis unit, I put unneeded headquartes, broken down regiments and build some FZs along the railroads. See the "anttrails" on the jump map. Even the clerks of the OKH get to patrol some raillines across the border from East Prussia!

The march forward is inhibited by supply difficulties and the panzers waiting for the infantry to catch up. Instead some panzer units strike out southeast and encircle a clutch of Soviet divisions, though it is a rather loose encirclement. It appears AGS might be needing some support, so we are moving southeast in preparation...

To the norteast, the reds have surrounded the 20th panzer division, but in a remarkable feat of arms the valiant division turns the tables on the attackers and capture Rzhev (circled). It will in all likelihood be surrounded again, so generous amounts of fuel, supplies and iron crosses are flown in.

And the south. It appears the asiatic hordes are cowering behind the Dnepr instead of fighting like men. The panzers again follow the line of least resistance and roll southeast against slight enemy opposition. Scattered enemy units are surrounded.

13th panzer division arrives opposite Kremetchug, and its artillery starts to hammer the railyard to prevent evacuation of the factories our intelligence says are still operating in the city.

It will soon be time to decide what to do about Odessa. We have only Rumanians in the vicinity, and I doubt their ability to take the city unaided if the reds decide to make a stand of it. However, I am reluctant to divert a corps of 11th army that way.